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| Chapter 10 |
| Bible Text | Notes and Thoughts |
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1 ¶ Now I, Paul, myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ--I, who in your presence am lowly among you, but being absent am bold toward you-- 2 I beseech you that when I am present I need not be bold with that confidence with which I have in mind to be bold against some, who think of us as though we walked according to the flesh. 3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God for the pulling down of strongholds, 5 casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ, 6 and being in readiness to avenge all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled. 7 ¶ Do ye look on things according to the outward appearance? If any man trust himself that he is Christ's, let him of himself think this again, that, as he is Christ's, even so are we Christ's. 8 For though I should boast somewhat more of our authority (which the Lord hath given us for edification, and not for your destruction), I should not be ashamed, 9 that I may not seem as if I would terrify you by letters. 10 "For his letters," say they, "are weighty and powerful, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible." 11 Let such a one think this: that as we are in word by letters when we are absent, so will we be also in deed when we are present. 12 ¶ For we dare not number ourselves, or compare ourselves, with some who commend themselves. For in measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, they are not wise. 13 But we will not boast of things beyond our measure, but according to the measure of the rule which God hath distributed to us, a measure to reach even unto you. 14 For we stretch not ourselves beyond our measure, as though we reached not unto you. For we have come as far as to you also in preaching the Gospel of Christ, 15 not boasting of things beyond our own measure, that is, of other men's labors; but having hope that, when your faith has increased, we shall be magnified in you according to our rule abundantly, 16 to preach the Gospel in the regions beyond you, and not to boast in another man's rule, which he made ready for our hand. 17 But "he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord." 18 For it is not he that commendeth himself who is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth. |
Paul now challenges the leadership of the divided Corinthian church, especially those who were against his apostolic authority. Paul does not hide the fact that the Judaizers were Satanic ministers and wanted to destroy the church and God’s work. 2 Cor 11:12-15. Paul has to correct a lack of understanding in three areas of the Christian ministry. v1-6 Our war is Spiritual. v1,2 and 10,11 Paul was being accused of being very bold when he wrote letters but not when he was in Corinth. v3,4 This is a spiritual battle, not with physical bodies, true spiritual power comes with meekness and gentleness v1. Jesus lived a life of meekness and gentleness Matt 11:29 but we do have a record that there were times when he showed anger Matt 15:1-11; Matt 23:13-33; Mark 11:15-19; John 2:13-21. v3-6 Tells us what spiritual battle is all about. It is usual for people to look on the outward appearance of someone’s behaviour, "according to the flesh," a good speach or sermon, ‘strong’ leadership, or others recommendations are what many look for in a person, but these are all ‘flesh,’ none show the true heart of the person. Paul’s power was from God Eph 6:10-20, he does not use the ‘wisdom of man’ v5. The ‘meek’ Jesus had far more power than Pilate at the crucifixion trial John 19:11 He could have called the powers of heaven to release Him but He was obeying His Father God, He must die on the cross. v5 Pride in a person immediately allows Satan access to the person. v6 Paul was ready to punish the offenders once the church had realized their wrong and submitted to the Lord. v7-11 Authority. Power and authority for a Christian do cause problems, in God’s kingdom position and power do not always indicate authority. Jesus gave a warning to his disciples Mark 10:35-45. Jesus came as a servant and looked after others. Paul is trying to get the Corinthians to have the same attitude but they were thinking that his loving and meekness was a sign of weakness. Paul was being accused of not being a true apostle because he showed no authority. However, this meant that if Paul was not a Christian and had deceived the church then the church was not a true church with saved members. Paul said that he has had to send "weighty and powerful" letters because that was what was needed at the time, but they were all written with love. The Judaizers had "letters of recommendation" for their authority, Paul’s authority came from God, his commission came from God and his life was sufficient to show his authority. v12-18 How to measure a ministry. It is one of mans attitude to work, measuring the result, statistics, it often causes problems as ‘statistics’ can be in error, only if you ask the ‘right questions’ will you get the ‘truth.’ As Christians are working for God then all the work has a miracle edge to it, how do you measure a ‘miracle.’ Also God’s method of measurement is not the same as man, compare how the Lord saw the seven churches in Rev 2-3. v12 Measuring errors, It is very easy to measure ‘outward’ activities, especially if you compare ‘yourself’ with ‘yourself,’ people often keep records of how many there at meetings, but this does not reflect the hearts of the people, only God knows that. Eph 4:11-20. v13-18 True way to measure. v13-14 Am I where God wants me? Paul was given the ministry of apostle to the Gentile, Act 9:15; Act 22:19-21; Eph 3:1ff; Rom 15:15-17. The Corinthians had also been included in the ‘Gentiles.’ v13 "a measure to reach even unto you.." Paul had brought the message of salvation, not the Judaizers. We are not competing with each other, or church with church, God gave us the gifts and abilities to do the task he has given each of us, we cannot therefore judge against each other. v15-17 Does my ministry glorify God? Paul tells us not to boast about things which are not part of the God given ministry, The Judaizers were stealing other peoples convert’s. What ever work you do must be done to the Will of God and to His glory. v17 comes from Jeremiah 9:24. The spiritual fruit we produce must always be to His glory. John 15:1-8. v18 Can my work be praised by God? How does God test the work as deserving praise? by His testing, possibly by tests of a personal faith. What ever tests come the final test will be at the judgement seat of Jesus. |
Easy English Translation
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| The 2nd Letter to Corinthians |
| Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 |
| Chapter 4 | Chapter 5 | Chapter 6 |
| Chapter 7 | Chapter 8 | Chapter 9 |
| Chapter 10 | Chapter 11 | Chapter 12 |
| Chapter 13 | Introduction page |
